Last Year, At Least 37,000 Civilians Died in Armed Conflicts Worldwide; China Calls for Stronger Actions to Protect Civilians

On May 20 local time, the Security Council held an open debate on the issue of protecting civilians in conflicts, with representatives from hundreds of countries and international organizations participating. China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Fu Cong, pointed out that over 20 conflicts worldwide last year resulted in at least 37,000 civilian deaths and more than 100 million people displaced. There must be a stronger sense of urgency and more effective actions taken to protect civilians.

Fu Cong stated that civilians are the biggest victims of armed conflicts. In today's world, turmoil is intertwined, and hotspot conflicts are prolonged and escalated, taking countless innocent lives and leaving countless families shattered. The Secretary-General's report indicated that over 20 conflicts worldwide last year caused at least 37,000 civilian deaths and more than 100 million people displaced. The harsh reality reminds us once again that we must have a stronger sense of urgency and take more effective actions to protect civilians.

Fu Cong proposed that political solutions to hotspot issues should be promoted to eliminate violent security threats. For every day that a conflict continues, civilians suffer for another day. Only by completely quelling conflicts can we fundamentally protect civilians. The war in Iran has caused serious losses to the people of various countries in the region, including Iran. China calls on all parties to stabilize the situation and ease tensions, to reach a solution that takes into account the concerns of all parties through dialogue and consultation, and urges the parties involved to respond to the international community's calls, to reopen shipping lanes as soon as possible, and to jointly maintain the stability and smoothness of the global supply chain. Gaza should not be a prolonged battlefield; a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire must be achieved, humanitarian access expanded, and civilian suffering ended as soon as possible.

Fu Cong emphasized the need to uphold the rule of international law and maintain the bottom line of protecting civilians. There are rules even in war; however, the means of conflict often break through the lower limits, with schools, hospitals, and towns where civilians gather becoming targets of military operations, and humanitarian workers, medical personnel, and peacekeepers becoming targets of attacks. It is necessary to further enhance the authority and effectiveness of peacekeeping operations. Compliance with international humanitarian law is an obligation that all parties must fulfill, and any double standards or selective application are unacceptable.

Fu Cong stated that we should advocate for technology for good, to help ensure civilian safety. The misuse and abuse of technologies such as artificial intelligence and drones pose new challenges to civilian safety. China has consistently advocated for a people-centered and technology-for-good approach, asserting that military applications of artificial intelligence should not harm the common good of humanity, and that relevant weapon systems must always remain under human control and comply with international humanitarian law and other applicable international laws. United Nations peacekeeping operations should prudently utilize emerging technologies to enhance situational awareness, reconnaissance, monitoring, crisis response capabilities, and better support and safeguard humanitarian actions, strengthening the protection of civilians in conflict areas.

Fu Cong pointed out that we must adhere to the leadership of the parties involved and enhance the capacity to protect civilians. Poverty and underdevelopment are root causes of conflicts and significant factors hindering conflict resolution. We must address both symptoms and root causes, support the parties involved in developing their economies, eliminating poverty, and improving people's livelihoods, and eradicate the soil for extremism and violent conflict, promoting sustainable security through sustainable development. Any illegal unilateral sanctions that bypass the Security Council's authorization will weaken the governance capacity of the parties involved and exacerbate the suffering of civilians, and must be resolutely resisted.

Fu Cong emphasized that China has always attached great importance to the issue of protecting civilians, is committed to promoting political solutions to hotspot issues, actively participates in United Nations peacekeeping operations, and helps relevant developing countries improve their national governance capacity within the framework of South-South cooperation. China is willing to work with the international community to eliminate the scourge of war as soon as possible, build a world of universal security and lasting peace, and ensure the happiness and tranquility of people in all countries. (CCTV reporter Cao Jian)